Who is Susan Anne Povich? The Eldest Daughter of Talk-Show Icon Maury Povich

Susan Anne Povich is a remarkable American lawyer, entrepreneur, and culinary innovator best known as the co-founder of the award-winning Red Hook Lobster Pound, one of New York’s most beloved seafood destinations. As the eldest daughter of legendary television host Maury Povich and public-relations expert Phyllis Minkoff, she grew up inside a prominent media family but built her success through her own reinvention, talent, and determination. Her story blends academic excellence, corporate legal achievement, bold entrepreneurship, and a deep passion for food inspired by her family’s Maine roots. With a net worth estimated at around $5 million, a thriving restaurant brand, and a reputation as one of Brooklyn’s most influential culinary voices, she continues to build a legacy defined by curiosity, creativity, family, and resilience.

Quick Bio

Category	Details
Full Name	Susan Anne Povich
Nickname	Lobstahmama
Date of Birth	June 1963 or December 30, 1964 (widely reported variations)
Age (2026)	Approximately 62 years old
Birthplace	Washington, D.C., USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian / Jewish heritage
Religion	Jewish
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight	60 kg (132 lbs)
Education	University of Michigan (B.A.), Harvard Law School (J.D. cum laude), French Culinary Institute
Profession	Lawyer, Chef, Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Red Hook Lobster Pound
Known For	Career reinvention from law to culinary entrepreneurship
Parents	Father: Maury Povich; Mother: Phyllis Minkoff
Siblings	Amy Joyce Povich (sister), Matthew Jay Povich (adopted half-brother)
Partner / Spouse	Ralph Winthrop Gorham (m. 1998)
Children	Jesse Gorham (b. 1999), Charley Gorham (b. 2004)
Residence	Red Hook, Brooklyn & Puerto Rico
Net Worth	Approx. $5 million
Business	Red Hook Lobster Pound (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Montauk, food trucks)
Social Media	Active on Instagram as “lobstahmama”

Early Life and Family Background

Susan Anne Povich was born in Washington, D.C., in June 1963, although some public sources place her birth later in December 1964. Regardless of that minor discrepancy, her upbringing was shaped by a unique blend of media prominence, intellectual tradition, and Jewish family culture. As the granddaughter of celebrated Washington Post sportswriter Shirley Lewis Povich, she inherited a deep appreciation for storytelling, hard work, and public-facing careers. Growing up in a household filled with journalists, producers, and media minds, she developed a strong sense of identity early on, yet she never relied on her family’s fame as a crutch.

Her childhood unfolded during a time when her father’s broadcasting career rapidly expanded—from local reporting in Washington to national television fame. While she lived in the orbit of celebrity, her home life remained grounded. Her mother, Phyllis Minkoff, balanced the household with compassion and stability, ensuring that Susan and her sister Amy were raised with humility, curiosity, and a love of learning. The family emphasized kindness, exploration, and personal responsibility—qualities that would ultimately shape Susan’s adult life.

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Susan Anne Povich Parents

Father – Maury Povich

Maurice Richard “Maury” Povich has long been a familiar presence in American television. Known for hosting the tabloid talk show Maury from 1991 to 2022, he developed an unmistakable on-screen persona and became a cultural figure whose name is recognized worldwide. With a career spanning print journalism, radio, local television, magazine-style programs, and syndicated national talk shows, Maury established himself as one of the most enduring faces in daytime television. His success, discipline, and resilience deeply influenced Susan, who grew up watching her father navigate the complexities of public life.

Today, his estimated net worth is around $80 million, the result of a career built on longevity, strategic choices, and audience connection. While his fame inevitably followed Susan throughout her life, she carved out her own path with grace, never relying on his spotlight to define her work.

Mother – Phyllis Minkoff

Phyllis Minkoff, Susan’s mother, is a public-relations specialist who built a respected career in strategic communications. Her thoughtful, organized nature balanced the dynamic, high-energy world of entertainment in which the family lived. She played a central role in fostering an environment that valued education, culture, and emotional awareness. Throughout Susan’s life, Phyllis remained a steady and supportive presence, particularly during Susan’s professional transitions from law to culinary arts and entrepreneurship.

Susan Anne Povich Parents’ Marriage and Divorce

Maury and Phyllis married in 1962, during a time when Maury was beginning to establish himself in Washington’s media landscape. They welcomed two daughters, Susan and Amy, and built a life marked by creativity and ambition. However, as Maury’s career expanded and his work required frequent travel and relocation, the couple eventually grew apart. After 17 years of marriage, they divorced in 1979.

Although divorce can be difficult for any child, Susan handled the transition with maturity. She remained close to both of her parents, and her bond with her stepmother, Connie Chung, grew naturally in later years. The divorce did not fragment the family but instead reshaped it around new forms of connection, respect, and shared history.

Susan Anne Povich Siblings and Extended Family

Susan grew up alongside her sister, actress and professor Amy Joyce Povich, who married renowned physician and author Dr. David Agus. Her extended family includes journalists, academics, and creative professionals who collectively formed a stimulating environment that encouraged learning and expression.

Susan also has an adopted half-brother, Matthew Jay Povich, the son of Maury Povich and Connie Chung. Matthew became a professor of physics and astronomy, reflecting the family’s strong academic tradition.

The Povich family legacy is multi-generational, culturally influential, and diverse in talent—yet Susan stands out as one of its most dynamic members.

Education and Academic Journey

Education has always been a core pillar of Susan’s life. She attended the University of Michigan, one of the nation’s top public universities, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She excelled academically, demonstrating early signs of the discipline that would carry her through her professional endeavors.

Determined to build a strong legal career, she went on to attend Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1988. Her time at Harvard strengthened her analytical ability, leadership skills, and professional confidence. She later supplemented her legal training with a completely different field of study—the culinary arts—by attending the French Culinary Institute in New York. This decision, initially taken to satisfy her passion for cooking, eventually transformed her life.

Susan Anne Povich Physical Appearance, Personality, and Age

At approximately 62 years old, Susan Anne Povich embodies the blend of energy, curiosity, and confidence that has defined every chapter of her life. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 60 kilograms, she carries herself with the ease of someone equally comfortable in a courtroom or behind the counter of a busy seafood kitchen. Her expressive eyes and warm demeanor reveal much about her personality—intelligent, creative, and deeply passionate about the things she loves.

Those who know her best describe a calm, grounded presence paired with a quick wit and a generous spirit. Susan’s approachable nature and ability to connect with people have long been part of her signature charm, whether she’s discussing legal matters, experimenting with recipes, or greeting customers at Red Hook Lobster Pound. Her active lifestyle—filled with cooking, gardening, biking, hiking, and exploring new places—gives her a youthful vitality that mirrors her adventurous mindset.

Legal Career and Professional Beginnings

After graduating from Harvard, Susan began her legal career with a prestigious clerkship in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She later joined a major Manhattan law firm, working for 18 months before her growing creative interests drew her toward culinary studies.

Although she initially stepped away from law to attend culinary school, she returned to the field and built a powerful 15-year career. She specialized in commercial law, intellectual property, and matrimonial law—areas that demanded precision and strategic judgment.

Eventually, Susan co-founded Povich/Kelly Associates P.C., a boutique law firm where she spent many years practicing, mentoring young attorneys, and building long-term client relationships. Today, she has more than 36 years of legal experience, marking her as a respected figure in her field.

Career Reinvention and Culinary Journey

Susan’s first step into the culinary world came in the 1990s after her culinary studies. She worked in various New York City restaurants before launching her own bakery-style cafe, The Cake Bar and Cafe. Although the restaurant received strong reviews, she realized she still needed deeper knowledge of how to manage a full-scale food business. The experience, however, connected her with the man who would later become her husband and business partner, Ralph Gorham.

Her true culinary breakthrough arrived years later during the 2008 financial crisis. When an empty storefront space sat unoccupied due to frozen credit markets, she and Ralph realized that they could transform it into a neighborhood seafood spot. A memorable Thanksgiving trip to Maine—and the fresh lobsters they brought home—became the spark for a bold new venture.

Founding of Red Hook Lobster Pound

In 2008, Susan and Ralph opened the Red Hook Lobster Pound (RHLP) in Brooklyn. The concept was simple: bring authentic Maine-style lobster rolls and fresh seafood to New York City. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Locals traveled across boroughs for a taste of fresh lobster, while national press celebrated the restaurant as a standout during a time when many businesses struggled to survive.

Susan became known affectionately as the “Chief Lobsterette.” She oversaw everything—from sourcing Atlantic lobster to preparing batches of her signature mayonnaise. When the couple launched their first food truck, Big Red, they entered the competitive mobile-food scene with remarkable success. In 2013, The Daily Meal named Big Red the “Best Food Truck in America” out of more than 400 candidates.

The restaurant expanded into Manhattan, Montauk, and Washington, D.C., and later added national seafood shipping. Susan’s creative innovations even helped popularize the Connecticut-style lobster roll, a butter-drenched version that quickly spread across the United States.

Media Presence and Public Perception

Susan’s business success earned her appearances on popular media platforms, including The Flay List, WNYC, and various culinary profiles. Fans and food critics alike appreciate her authenticity and dedication. On social media, she shares glimpses of her life as @lobstahmama, offering snapshots of cooking, family, travel, and her home in Puerto Rico. Her online presence is warm, lighthearted, and true to her personality—never performative, always genuine.

Personal Life and Marriage

How She Met Ralph Winthrop Gorham

Susan and Ralph met in the 1990s at a New York Rangers game, an encounter that surprised them both. Ralph, a contractor, furniture designer, and motorcycle builder, shared Susan’s adventurous and hands-on mindset. Their connection grew through shared interests, late-night cooking sessions, and mutual respect for creativity.

Marriage and Relationship Timeline

On May 10, 1998, they married in a Jewish ceremony officiated by a rabbi in Maury Povich’s Manhattan apartment. Their relationship has remained both personal and professional, as they continue to lead Red Hook Lobster Pound together.

Children and Family Life

Susan and Ralph have two children:

Jesse, born in 1999, has been involved in the family restaurant and inherited his parents’ entrepreneurial instincts.

Charley, born in November 2004, excels academically and athletically, especially in volleyball and debate. Her determination reflects her mother’s drive and curiosity.

The family lives in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and also owns a home in Puerto Rico, where Susan often spends time cooking, gardening, and recharging.

Susan Anne Povich Net Worth and Financial Standing

Susan Anne Povich’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, a figure shaped by years of strategic work across both law and entrepreneurship. Her income reflects the growth of Red Hook Lobster Pound, a business that expanded from a single Brooklyn storefront into additional locations, popular food trucks, and a thriving national seafood-shipping operation. Before entering the culinary world, she also built a steady financial base through her long and successful legal career, practicing commercial and intellectual-property law for more than 15 years.

Although her father, Maury Povich, has amassed a far greater fortune through his decades-long television career, Susan’s financial success stands firmly on its own. Every stage of her journey—from law offices to lobster rolls—demonstrates her willingness to take risks, reinvent herself, and build lasting value through creativity and discipline.

Role in the Growth of Red Hook and NYC Food Culture

Susan transformed Red Hook from a quiet industrial neighborhood into a nationally recognized food destination. Her restaurant helped catalyze the local economy, inspired New York’s modern seafood movement, and set new standards for quality, sourcing, and authenticity in lobster cuisine.

Current Life and Privacy

Despite her public accomplishments, Susan values privacy. Her life centers around her family, her home, her pets, her garden, and quiet moments of creativity. She continues balancing her legal expertise with culinary leadership, ensuring that Red Hook Lobster Pound remains true to its roots even as it evolves.

Legacy and Influence

Susan’s legacy rests on reinvention, resilience, creativity, and courage. She proved that careers are not linear—that someone can excel as a lawyer, then break out and dominate an entirely different industry. As an entrepreneur, mother, and daughter of a media icon, she embodies the power of independence and personal vision. Her influence on the food truck movement, lobster roll culture, and Brooklyn’s culinary identity will continue for years to come.

Conclusion

Susan Anne Povich’s life is a compelling portrait of transformation. She grew from the daughter of a famous television figure into a Harvard-educated attorney, a culinary innovator, and a successful entrepreneur whose work shaped one of New York’s most iconic food brands. Through her love of family, her passion for food, her disciplined legal mind, and her fearless creative choices, she built a life defined not by the fame of her father, but by her own achievements. Her story continues to inspire anyone pursuing reinvention, balance, and authentic success.

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FAQs

1. How old is Susan Anne Povich in 2026?

Susan is approximately 62 years old, depending on the source cited for her exact birth year.

2. What is Susan Anne Povich best known for?

She is best known as the co-founder of Red Hook Lobster Pound, a top-rated NYC seafood brand, and for her career shift from law to culinary entrepreneurship.

3. Who are Susan Anne Povich’s parents?

Her parents are Maury Povich, the legendary TV host, and Phyllis Minkoff, a communications and PR specialist.

4. What is Susan Anne Povich’s professional background?

Susan built dual careers—first as a commercial and intellectual-property lawyer, then as a chef and restaurateur, after training at the French Culinary Institute.

5. Who is Susan Anne Povich married to?

She is married to Ralph Winthrop Gorham, a designer, restaurateur, and her business partner at Red Hook Lobster Pound.

6. How many children does Susan Anne Povich have?

Susan has two children: a son, Jesse, and a daughter, Charley, both of whom have been involved in family and community activities.

7. What is Susan Anne Povich’s net worth?

Her estimated net worth is around $5 million, built from her successful seafood business, food trucks, national shipping, and her earlier legal career.

8. Where does Susan Anne Povich live now?

She primarily lives in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and spends part of the year at her home in Puerto Rico, often sharing travel and family moments on Instagram.

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